Celebrity chef Michael Caines MBE on his love of Devon

Tell us briefly about yourself and what you do in the county.

I have three businesses in the county, Lympstone Manor, Mickeys Beach in Exmouth and The Café Patisserie Glacerie. I was born in the county and Devon is where my home and my family are.

Where in Devon do you live?

I live in Crockenwell which is just outside Cheriton Bishop.

How long have you been here and what brought you here?

I was born in Exeter and grew up in Cullompton until I was eight, then I moved to Exeter where I finished my schooling and went to Exeter College. I moved away to London, then to Oxford and France and then I came back to Devon to take up the position as head chef at Gidleigh Park.

What’s the best thing about living in Devon?

It’s unique because it has a huge and very contrasting land mass. It has beautiful beaches and amazing moorlands. We are very lucky that we have so much here in the county that is based around its geography and its natural beauty; and I also love the fact it’s not too over-populated and we have plenty of space.

And the worst?

I don’t see any downside! The only thing is that Exeter Airport is not the regional airport that it was. The other thing that’s not so good is the North Devon Link Road which I think is dangerous, far too many accidents happen on that road, and it’s also holding the economy back in North Devon.

Describe your ideal day out in Devon.

I’ve got kids, and it’s lovely to go out with them and have a lovely meal in one of our many beautiful restaurants, followed by a walk on the moors or along the coast or seafront, or Haldon Hill. We are lucky to be in a position where we have so much on our doorstep.

What is your favourite Devon journey, by any mode of transport?

I would probably pick one of my walks - the Two Moors Way. You can pick it up at any point and go for a walk. It’s a lovely thing to be able to do, to go from the north to the south coast. I’ve done sections of it and the bit that comes past me in Crockenwell towards Drewsteignton is lovely.

What is your favourite view in the county?

I have to say that Lympstone Manor has a special view, one that I never get bored of. Another is from an old hillfort above Fingal Bridge, called Cranbrook Castle. You can see right down to Castle Drogo and back across to North Devon... it’s really amazing, an incredible view. That landscape hasn’t really changed for so many years, there’s something very spiritual about it and it’s a very beautiful part of the world.

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What is your favourite month to be in Devon?

I love the autumn, so I’d probably go for October or November. It’s not that I don’t like the summer, I do, it’s just the colours the beautiful sunsets and the bounty, the incredible produce we have here in Devon.

What gift from Devon would you give to a friend?

I’d give them a bottle of our Triassic pinot noir, from Lympstone Manor – it’s better than a stick of rock.

What three words best describe Devon?

Devon is heaven